HC Theatre announces 2004-05 season schedule
FOR RELEASE: Monday, May 10, 2004
Huntington, Ind. " The Huntington College Theatre Department has announced its performance schedule for the 2004-05 year. Fall 2004
Mike Burnett, assistant professor of theatre arts at Huntington College, will direct the season's first performance, The Compleat Works of Willm Shkspr (abridged), September 22-25, and October 1-2, 2004. The performance will have two casts (one for women and one for men) that will perform on alternating nights. The abridged version was written by the Reduced Shakespeare Company and consists of 37 plays in 97 minutes. The production will be performed in the Merillat Centre for the Arts (MCA) Studio Theatre.
Pippin, by Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson, will be directed by the newly appointed assistant professor of theatre arts David Shamburger, who will make his directing debut in the MCA Zurcher Auditorium November 11-13. Set in the court of the Eighth Century Holy Roman Emperor, Pippin, the man born to be Emperor, has a problem "boredom. Pippin, eldest son of Charlemagne, tired of books, war, love and politics, is an everyman in his quest for happiness, finally finds fulfillment only in an unexpected place.
Spring 2005
Burnett will direct I, Faustus, based on Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe, in the MCA Studio Theatre February 24-26, 2005. Doctor Faustus, an aging scholar, makes a bargain with the devil for youth, knowledge and a dazzling temptress. Sent to distract Faustus from questioning his decisions, the devil's disciple, Mephistopheles, lures Faustus into a spellbinding world of spectacular visions and sensual diversions, sealing the fate of Faustus' soul. Using improvisations and workshop techniques pioneered by the Open Theatre, this adaptation will be created by HC students.
Shamburger will return to direct the final production of the year, Curious Savage, by John Patrick in the MCA Studio Theatre April 7-9, 2005. Mrs. Savage has been left ten million dollars by her husband, and wants to make the best use of it, in spite of the efforts of her grown-up stepchildren to get their hands on it. These latter, knowing that the widow's wealth is now in negotiable securities, and seeing they cannot get hold of it, commit her to a "sanatorium" hoping to "bring her to her senses." This high comedy will leave the audience with a feeling that the neglected virtues of kindness and affection have not been entirely lost in a world that seems motivated at times only by greed and dishonesty.
Each of the shows for the 2004-05 season will offer educational matinees. Educational backstage tours and special lecture packets will be offered to any schools that attend the productions.
Lab Season
Fresh Faces, a yearly HC Theatre showcase, presents its newest class of talent in an evening of scenes and songs. The performance will be held in the MCA Zurcher Auditorium September 17, 2004.
Dan Olson and David Blaser will present their senior performance projects in the MCA Studio Theatre December 3-4, 2004. The two HC Theatre Performance majors will present an evening of scenes and monologues.
The 10 Minute Play Festival will feature the newest fad in theatre. These 10 minute plays are conceived, written, and produced entirely by HC Theatre students. The production will take place in the MCA Studio Theatre January 28-29, 2005.
The Annual One Act Play Festival, in which student directors present a menagerie of works, gives student directors, actors and designers opportunities to showcase their talent. The performance will be in the MCA Studio Theatre April 28-30, 2005.
Danielle Villafana, a theatre performance major, will present her senior performance project in the MCA Studio Theatre May 5-6, 2005.
Huntington College is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 60 academic concentrations. USNews & World Report ranks Huntington among the top comprehensive colleges in the Midwest. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington College is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in Huntington, Indiana. The College is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).
